Question

Evaluate the expression. $$-4(|y-12|) \text { when } y=5$$

Short answer

-28

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Absolute Value

The absolute value of 'a' denoted by '|a|', is the distance of 'a' from zero on the number line, regardless of the direction. For instance, if 'a' is a positive number or zero, '|a|' is 'a'. If 'a' is a negative number, '|a|' is '-a'.

Compute the Absolute Value

Compute the absolute value of 'y-12' by substituting the value of 'y' which is '5'. Hence, '|5-12|' equals to '|-7|' which is '7'.

Evaluate the Expression

Evaluate the expression '-4(|y-12|)' by multiplying '-4' and the computed absolute value in step 2 which is '7'. Hence, '-4' multiplied by '7' equals to '-28'.